CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Change has become something of a constant in the Carolina Panthers organization since 2020 — in the front office, coaches offices and locker room.
This year was no different. Dave Canales replaced Frank Reich as head coach, Dan Morgan succeeded Scott Fitterer as general manager and Brian Burns became the team’s latest first-round draft pick to be traded away in his prime.
But a few weeks after Burns was dealt to the New York Giants, the Panthers re-signed another first-rounder — defensive lineman Derrick Brown — in a move that perhaps signaled the start of a more stable period. Several of the team’s draft picks also seemed to be made more with an eye on the future than filling an immediate need.
“Me and Dave, we talk every day about the roster and which ways we can make it better,” Morgan said after the draft. “I think we’re headed in a good direction.”
With the majority of the Panthers’ roster construction finished, The Athletic breaks down the Panthers’ winners and losers this offseason.
Winners
Bryce Young
As much as Canales and Morgan have tried to take some of the pressure off Young with their it’s-about-the-team narrative, many of the offseason moves directly benefited the second-year quarterback. Following the approach the New Orleans Saints used in building the interior offensive line to protect Drew Brees, the Panthers signed a pair of stout guards — Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis — to big free-agent contracts to flank center Austin Corbett. They traded for ex-Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson and drafted three playmakers in receiver Xavier Legette, running back Jonathon Brooks and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. No wonder Young’s text messages to Canales during the draft were upbeat. “He’s really excited about what we’ve done from the responses that I got from him,” Canales said. “He’s very fired up about what we put together.”
Adam Thielen had his second 100-catch season of his career (the other was in 2018) in his first year with the Panthers. (Jim Dedmon / USA Today)
Adam Thielen
The former Minnesota Vikings receiver exceeded just about all expectations during his first year in Charlotte, earning Young’s trust with his precise routes and sure hands. Thielen shouldered a heavy load in the passing game with 137 targets, and his 103 receptions were six more than the Panthers’ next three wideouts combined. But with Thielen set to turn 34 in August, it would have been a lot to ask him to try to duplicate his 2023 production. With the arrival of Johnson, Legette and Sanders, he shouldn’t have to. All three of the newcomers can stretch the field, which should open things up a bit for Thielen underneath.
Derrick Brown
Brown had a couple of reasons to smile during the offseason. First, he watched the Panthers add a run-stuffing complement in free agency in the 6-foot-4, 330-pound person of A’Shawn Robinson, who has experience with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero from their time with the Rams. Then Brown became the NFL’s fourth highest-paid defensive tackle when he signed a four-year, $96 million extension, including $63.2 million guaranteed. After the Panthers’ former regime failed to get a long-term deal done with Burns, locking up the 26-year-old Brown early was good business for Morgan and executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis. It also was a good football decision: Brown, the seventh overall pick in 2020, set an NFL record among defensive tackles with 103 tackles in 2023 and made his first Pro Bowl.
Dane Jackson
When the former Bills cornerback signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract (plus incentives) with Carolina, he joined a team where he’ll get a chance to compete for a starting role after playing mostly as a backup and special teams ace in Buffalo. The 27-year-old Jackson also reunites with Morgan, who famously pounded the table for the Bills to draft Jackson in the seventh round in 2020 when Morgan was with Brandon Beane in Buffalo. Jackson’s size (5-11, 180) makes him susceptible to over-the-top throws, but he was known for his competitive spirit and tackling prowess in Buffalo. There’s a good chance the Panthers will add another corner, whether it’s Stephon Gilmore or someone else. But for now Jackson is at the top of the depth chart in Donte Jackson’s former spot.
Losers
Miles Sanders
After trading up in the second round to take Brooks (the first running back drafted), Canales and Morgan both said there’s still room for Sanders in the running backs room. That was before the team agreed to terms with former Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny, who was with Canales in Seattle. Sanders was already marginalized in 2023 when he lost his starting job to Chuba Hubbard amid the worst season of Sanders’ career. Given the devaluation of the position across the league, it’s hard to envision a team taking on Sanders’ contract via trade. But Morgan and Tilis showed this offseason they’re willing to eat dead money to move on from underperforming players (see: Hayden Hurst, Vonn Bell and Bradley Bozeman).
Brady Christensen
The third-round pick from 2021 started every game at left guard in 2022 before breaking his ankle in Week 17 at New Orleans. Christensen was back in the starting lineup at the start of 2023, only to suffer a season-ending biceps injury in Week 1. Following the additions of Hunt and Lewis, Christensen is moving into a utility-knife role, backing up the guard and tackle positions and even taking snaps at center during the recent voluntary minicamp. That versatility is good for the offensive line, but maybe not so great for a player set to hit free agency for the first time next offseason.
Ian Thomas
The 27-year-old Thomas has agreed to pay cuts in each of the past two offseasons to stay with the Panthers as their principal blocking tight end. Thomas will make $1.3 million in 2024, plus a chance to earn back some money via incentives. Given how Thomas’ involvement in the pass game has cratered, his role won’t be impacted too much by the arrival of Ja’Tavion Sanders, the most prolific receiving tight end in the draft besides Brock Bowers. Still, Tommy Tremble and Sanders figure to receive the most snaps at the position.
Terrace Marshall caught only 19 passes for 139 yards last season and did not score a touchdown. (Bob Donnan / USA Today)
Terrace Marshall Jr.
Like a couple of the other names on this list, Marshall was already on shaky ground heading into the offseason. There’s a reason the former second-rounder requested to be moved before last year’s deadline. But trading for Johnson and using the 32nd pick on Legette will likely have Marshall fighting to hang on to one of the roster spots among the receivers, especially if an undrafted free agent such as Holy Cross’ Jalen Coker or Coastal Carolina’s Sam Pinckney sticks.
Young defensive backs
What do Jammie Robinson, Dicaprio Bootle and D’Shawn Jamison have in common? All are 26 or younger and started at least one game in 2023 in the Panthers secondary. There’s also this: Each of the three defensive backs might have slipped a notch on the depth chart following the offseason moves already made or still to come. Robinson, a fifth-round pick last year, started two games at nickel as a rookie. Veteran Troy Hill also was a starter at nickel in 2023 and re-signed on a one-year deal. Robinson also plays safety, which the Panthers fortified by bringing in former Rams Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott. Besides adding Jackson and retaining Hill at corner (where Bootle and Jamison play), the Panthers drafted Chau Smith-Wade in the fifth round.
Winner and loser
Jadeveon Clowney
We’ll start with the good with Clowney: The veteran edge rusher signed a two-year, $20 million contract to play in the shadow of his Rock Hill, S.C., hometown after taking a one-year, prove-it deal with Baltimore in 2023. The bad? Barring a breakthrough season from D.J. Wonnum, DJ Johnson, K’Lavon Chaisson or someone else, the 31-year-old Clowney could be facing a lot of double-teams and chip blocks.
